Nov. 27, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team was awarded the “Partners in Progress” award, given by the Richland County Farm City Committee.

“Farm-City has a theme every year, and this year we celebrated the horse with a focus on how horses still impact our lives whether we are in a rural or urban area,” Farm-City spokesperson Charlie Fisher said. “The USC Equestrian facility and team was a perfect fit of urban and rural interest coming together.”

The South Carolina equestrian team has enjoyed remarkable success under the direction of head coach Boo Duncan. The Gamecocks won the overall Varsity Equestrian National Championship in 2005 and 2007, and the Hunter Seat team has won the past three consecutive national championships. In addition the Western team was named Reserve Champion in 2007, the strongest showing for the discipline at the VENC’s.

The Gamecocks compete at One Wood Farm in Blythewood, South Carolina. Recently purchased by the university development foundation, One Wood Farm is a 22-acre facility that is considered one of the best in the nation.

The National Farm-City Council was established in 1955 to encourage understanding between rural and urban residents. Today, more than 15,000 communities nationwide are involved in Farm-City programs of all kinds.